Kids are done back to salt (1 Viewer)

[fstmax]

thinking 40 breeder no sump have to spend as little as possible up front then add later so the wife doesn't get too mad at all the money I will be spending

 

[mnmuskyman2011]

+1 on the 40b. And I would take your time. Piece it together over time if you have to. But do it the right way. IMO set up a sump with a good skimmer or ATS. Welcome back, hope to see you at some meetings.

 

[Sakibs]

pm sent

 

[General0]

I would do a 40 breeder! I have wanted to setup one of those since getting into saltwater. Parts are reasonable for it, easy to maintain, and not too large that it will take up too much space. you could go with hang on back stuff for it but drilling it would be the way to go I would do a LED setup over it or T5's, Reef Octopus makes really nice HOB skimmers, maybe a Aquaclear 70 or 110 for a refugium, add a couple of Koralia powerheads for flow. and your pretty much done till you can afford a controller and maybe a reactor for carbon and GFO.

If I were to build a 40 this is what I would use:

First would be to drill the 40 and install a overflow, 15g long or 20g for a sump, Bubble Magus NAC3 or REEF OCTOPUS NWB110 for a skimmer, Mag 5 or Eheim 1260 for return, BRS dual reactor, and for lights I have a 36" Current USA dual 150w with 4 T5 I would use or buy a 24" AJM LED, Reef Angel Controller with ATO and adapters for two Jebao WP25's for flow. Two BRS dosers controlled by the Reef Angel, and I would build the stand myself!

 

[Kepler]

For a 58 a 250w halide pendent is more than enough and their are plenty laying around for sale I'm sure.
You going for a sump or no sump?

Are 58s 3 footers? I have found that length of tank to be a PITA to light.

thinking 40 breeder no sump have to spend as little as possible up front then add later so the wife doesn't get too mad at all the money I will be spending

I recommend a sump. I have tried to go sumpless, and even with those fancy all-in-one systems it did not work out for me. I ended up spending money on extra hang on back equipment. Then I got fed up the "miniaturized" equipment not functioning properly so I upgraded. In the long run I wasted money on the sumpless stuff and had to spend on the sump anyway.

It may work out for you, but that is just my experience.

 

[Chuckytt]

58 and 57 are almost identical measurements. 58 has trim where a 57 doesn't

 

[mapierce7]

I would also jump on the 40B or 57/58 gallon. However as it has been said DON'T short yourself and skip a sump. You will regret it in the long run. Especially once its up and running it's pretty much impossible to drill the tank for an overflow. Which means taking it all down, putting it into a holding tank and then getting yours drilled etc etc etc. Skip the HOB overflow if you can, I would only go that route for a system that is already running.

 

[RyanTurner]

Drilling won't cost that much more anyway. The overflow box will be the most expensive part, but you can build that yourself.

Also remember that 40 breeders are not tempered and can be drilled through the bottom.

 

[David Grigor]

Do it right the first time and either buy a 57 reef ready or drill the 40br ahead of time while it is still empty. Even if you do nothing but plug up the hole for now. It will be a non-issue when time to add a sump and tryig to figure out what to do with livestock. I too would not invest any money on hang on equipment except maybe a power filter. Just rely on water changes until the sump is done.

I really like both 40br and the 57/58g. Really any 36" tank just so long as it doesn't have any crossbracing. A crossbrace really messes up lighting options. I'm not much on rimless myself so I wouldn't go that far most any fish you add will require a top/screen and pretty much defeats the clean look of a rimless. Lots of people though think it's worth the added expense.

 

[fstmax]

Thanks for the info I think I'm going with 40 breeder for sure

 

[Chuckytt]

Great choice! I agree with DG though. Drill it now and get the tank ready for a sump then plug the hole. So when adding a sump comes time, the tank is ready.
However their are a lot of HOB options out there.
I would personally skip a HOB skimmer and go with a HOB fuge and good water changes. Then when time comes for a sump, get a god skimmer.

 

[BashfulBacterium]

<-----Regrets not drilling his tanks. Don't make the same mistake :brainoverload:

 

[fstmax]

hey thanks everyone for the info and offers I ended up buying a 29 gallon tank with a coralife light for now will put of a pic in a different post